Modern snow removal equipment demonstrates high performance and functional equipment. Models with a gasoline engine have optimal power, which ensures sufficient traction and the ability to work efficiently in any conditions. At the same time, the developers of such equipment provide functional equipment with advanced attachments for clearing the territory. On the market, crawler snow blowers are available in a wide range of models with different functional contents, so both ordinary owners of country houses and employees of public utility services have the opportunity to make the best choice.
General information about tracked snow blowers
Equipping with a tracked undercarriage initially provides the vehicle with many advantages over wheeled vehicles. Such models have practically no barriers on the way through snow debris and on ice surfaces. In addition, a crawler snow blower is usually equipped with a two-stage auger-rotor mechanics. The cleaning principle itself is based on the functions of several working components. First of all, these are grinding augers, which beat the rolled crust, turning it into a crumbly mass. Next, the snow is sent to the impeller and thrown to the side.
As for control, it is implemented through mechanics with electronic elements. The cleaner operator can control the process with extreme precision, using all the resources of the gasoline unit. To ensure stability on the same ice floor, a crawler-mounted snow blower is also equipped with a center of gravity stabilization system. It is provided in premium, expensive machines designed for professional use in difficult conditions.
Owner reviews
After reading the article and watching the video information about this model of snow blower, you probably have a definite opinion about the unit. But what do owners say about a tracked snow blower? Let their reviews help you make the right choice of snow removal device for your needs:
Vladlen, 39 years old:
"Hello! I bought myself an STT1170E three years ago and was impressed by its all-terrain capability. It works properly, the gas consumption is low, the range is excellent: dry snow really throws 13-15 m, but loose and wet snow up to 10 m. I changed the belt, we tried the shear bolts - while they were in stock - there were no special problems with the replacement (I also replaced I went further), but now we’ve run out - and it’s almost impossible to get. Once I was lucky, purely by chance I stopped by the store and picked up the last ones, now they are running out, and my “trips” to the stores do not produce tangible results. If I don’t find the original ones, I’ll have to do something cool, I’m already studying the forums and asking the guys who is replacing them with what. So, guys, when buying an STT1170E snow blower, do not forget to buy several sets of spare shear bolts - they will definitely come in handy and save your nerves. Well, ask, if something happens, where you can get them in the future. There are no other complaints about the work of the snow blower, the machine is worthwhile, I have no regrets.”
Alexander, 44 years old:
"Hello. Vladlen is right, the snow blower is good, but it’s just a problem to get consumables. My STT1170E goes smoothly, without jerking, there is one inconvenient section on the slope - it takes it too, and what’s nice is that I don’t run after it, the controls are obeyed instantly. I’ve had my snow blower for 4 years now, during which time I changed the belt and, of course, the shear bolts. After conservation, I discovered that the spark plug had failed. Once I didn’t check the availability of fuel, I had to suffer so much, I tried to drag it to the garage (this won’t work with a caterpillar drive), but realizing the comical situation, I went for gasoline myself and refilled the tank. Here we go... I recommend it, the snow removal is of high quality.”
Main characteristics
The quality of a snow blower should be assessed primarily through its power indicator. On average it is 7-10 liters. pp., although there are more productive models. The width and length of the bucket also matter - these parameters are individual and most often selected for specific operating conditions. At the same time, there is not always a dependence of the size of a functional organ on power potential. For example, cleaners with 11 liter engines. With. can be provided with compact buckets, which allows them to cope with cleaning difficult areas efficiently and at high speed. Petrol tracked snow blowers also differ in the number of speeds themselves. In the usual configuration, the forward gear has 6 stages, and the rear gear has 2. From the point of view of performance, it would be useful to initially calculate the optimal snow throw range. This figure varies on average from 10 to 15 m.
Top 9 snow blowers
Let's look at the best snow blowers in different segments.
The best gas snow blowers
Huter SGC 4000
The Huter SGC 4000 is a self-propelled gasoline snow blower with good engine power, maneuverable and convenient for cleaning small areas. Economical, starts well even in cold weather. The range of snow throwing depends on its characteristics from 2 to 7 meters. Thanks to inflatable tires with clear winter tread, it holds up well even in icy conditions. For 25,000 rubles, the client receives equipment of a fairly simple design, easy to operate with inexpensive consumables and spare parts.
Price: RUB 24,656
PATRIOT Siberia 68E
The self-propelled petrol PATRIOT Sibir 68E is distinguished by easy, trouble-free starting, good control ergonomics, and large grooved wheels. The ejection chute position handle is conveniently located on the operator panel. Snow capture width is 60 cm, throw range is up to 10 m. The price of the unit is 45,000 rubles.
Price: RUB 43,228
Interskol SMB-650
Gasoline snow blower Interskol SMB-650 with a fairly high power of 6.5 hp. The unit is economical and starts easily in the cold. The gutter adjustment lever is not particularly conveniently located, so when purchasing, you should try it on according to your height. It throws snow far - 10 m. It copes well with both loose and compacted snow.
Price: RUB 32,838
Best Electric Snow Blowers
Daewoo Power Products DAST 3000E
Daewoo Power Products DAST 3000E is a powerful electric unit for snow removal with a throw range of up to 12 m. All controls are on the handles. For small areas and when the snow is not particularly compacted, it is an ideal assistant for the homeowner. There is no wheel drive, so you have to push the snow blower yourself. Thanks to its light weight, compactness and maneuverability, it is easy to control. The price of the snow blower is quite reasonable - 17,000 rubles.
Price: RUB 16,990
Sibrtech ESB-2000
Sibrtech ESB-2000 is an inexpensive (9,000 rubles) snow blower from a domestic manufacturer: compact, reliable and silent in operation. It throws snow well at a distance of 7 to 9 m. It is easy to control and maneuverable.
Price: RUB 9,190
Hyundai S 500
The Korean snowplow Hyundai S 500 is well assembled and easy to operate. The power allows you to remove even compacted snow. Due to the small wheels, it has difficulty driving on loose snow and dirt paths. Snow is thrown like a fan at a distance of up to 6 m. Good quality-price ratio of 10,800 rubles.
Price: ₽ 10,800
The best professional snow blower
Honda HSS655ET
Honda HSS655ET tracked self-propelled snow blower with a 6.5 hp gasoline engine. characterized by a remarkable ejection range - up to 14 m. It has good cross-country ability on any snow and on any terrain. The metal auger easily takes compacted snow. Ideal for cleaning large areas. The price of a professional unit is 144,000 rubles.
Price: ₽ 144,200
Husqvarna ST 230P
Wheeled gasoline snow blower Husqvarna ST 230P with a powerful 9.6 hp engine. with easy starting provided by the presence of an electric starter and with differential unlocking for turning. The snow emission deflector is controlled from a heated ergonomic handle. The heavy and large snow blower handles well and can even turn around on the spot. The price of the unit is 156,000 rubles.
Price: RUB 144,990
Parton PA6527ES
Wheeled gasoline snow blower Parton PA6527ES with a 6.5 hp engine. starts quickly thanks to the electric starter. Provides high-quality cleaning of large areas from loose and compacted snow. It has a good snow throw range. American high-quality assembly and a price of only 60,000 rubles, which is not too much for such a unit.
Price: RUB 60,427
Technological features
Expensive models from large manufacturers receive additional equipment and advanced technologies in various parts of the structure and mechanisms. Thus, to improve the ease of operation of machines, developers provide in modern modifications hydrostatic transmissions, the operation of which excludes a fixed speed position. In addition to this, to increase comfort, the presence of an amplifier is also provided, which facilitates the maneuvering process. To make it easier to process hardened and dense coatings, designers are also improving the cover cleaning organs. In particular, the crawler snow blower is equipped with adjustable support plates and special slats for trimming snowdrifts. In addition, a wide range of additional protective equipment covers both control elements and critical structural parts of the machine. Special casings, heating devices, insulation of hydraulic lines - all these components are used to increase the operational reliability of such machines.
Common snow blower problems
Each of the breakdowns of a snow blower is a direct result of the owner’s improper handling of the unit. As a rule, this is due to the lack of desire on the part of the owners to carefully study the operating instructions for the machine. Less often, the cause of the breakdown lies in the manufacturing defects of the snow blower elements.
Be that as it may, there are a number of typical breakdowns characteristic of each unit, regardless of its design and manufacturer. These include:
- Shear Bolt Breakage – Snow blowers are designed with soft metal screws. They play the role of fastenings for screw elements. The main task of shear bolts is to protect the engine, rotor mechanism and other machine parts from mechanical damage. When the unit hits an obstacle, the shaft stops and the screws themselves are cut off. Shear bolts are consumables, so it is better to always have several of these fasteners in reserve. Experts do not recommend screwing in regular bolts instead, as this will lead to complete breakdown of the snow blower;
- Malfunction of belts - they are also consumables, which is why the owner of a snow blower should always have at least one belt in reserve. During operation of the unit, the belt wears out quickly, which leads to its breakage. As a result of this, the engine of the unit does not start;
- Friction disc failure - this element is responsible for the movement of the entire wheelbase of the unit. During its rotation, it transmits the force of the motor to the wheels through gears. With a sharp increase in loads, the friction ring may break, causing the unit to lose its ability to move.
Reviews of the Cub Cadet 730 model
One of the most productive machines in the segment, which is a multifunctional self-propelled snow removal vehicle. The model is designed to serve large areas, park areas and garden plots. The power of the unit is 11.1 liters. pp., which is enough to confidently perform three-stage processing. The owners also point to the successful implementation of the design of the augers, which crush the snow, then feed it to the impeller and discard it. At the same time, the width of the snow cover also causes positive impressions among many users. It is a considerable 76 cm, but the most important thing is that the petrol tracked snow blowers of this brand handle massive equipment confidently and without delay.
He earns his money, but nothing more.
Good day everyone!
Winter came quickly this year. In this regard, I would like to leave a review about the unit, which has been living with us for 3 years, helping to clear winter gifts in the form of snowdrifts and sediments.
I don’t share the enthusiasm of some sellers who write that the Champion STT1170E is a professional snow blower that will remove dirt and rust, sorry, snow and ice without difficulty. But it is a fact that the Champion STT1170E is the cheapest tracked snow blower. And tracks on snow and ice go much better than wheels, skidding and slipping less when meeting ice, etc.
The main technical characteristics are as follows:
The auger is really large and wide - 70cm wide, as promised.
This device is delivered partially assembled and weighs 135 kg. Therefore, when purchasing, you should take care in advance of the issue of loading/unloading, transportation and assembly. We did everything ourselves, using the trunk of an SUV and our own technical knowledge.
Before the first start (and before the winter season in general), it is useful to stretch and inject the snow blower. By the way, it is supplied without oil in the crankcase. Therefore, about a liter (more precisely 1.1 liters) of oil for 4-stroke engines will have to be filled. It is of course possible to assemble it yourself, looking at the instructions, but still I cannot recommend this to people who are at ease with equipment.
The gas tank is 6 liters, but we fill it with 95 liter gasoline instead of 92 liters. Consumption depends on the volume and complexity of cleaning.
If you have completed the assembly, then the machine will only please you with its functionality - it will drive itself on tracks to the cleaning site and then work at 6 speeds + 2 reverse speeds and turning levers, throwing snow as and where you need (you can just clean it, but You can also throw a slide on the children), illuminating the path with a headlight if necessary. It puffs and rumbles quite a bit.
There is an electric starter - we have never used it, it works well both at -10C and -20C.
Dry snow throws 10-12 meters, wet snow 1/2 the distance less. Wet snow can periodically clog the auger and pipe, which should be cleaned with a shovel attached to the body of the snow blower. Cleaning ice with a snow blower is actually something out of science fiction - small ice hummocks can be done. and will capture, but for the ice crust - only an icebreaker or a crowbar. And ice blocks, branches and other debris in the path of the auger are certain death for the augers.
Operating this machine requires a certain amount of skill and coordination, whether you are cleaning the yard or a section of the street along the houses. In order to regulate the direction and height of the snow ejection (so as not to throw the already cleared areas again and not to fill up the neighbors), you will have to stop often. It is also important to adjust the height of the auger so that it does not rake snow along with the soil or, conversely, does not allow too much snow to pass underneath. In addition, cleaning will require a fair amount of physical strength - when driving into a hole, climbing a steep hill, driving to the threshold of a garage, even the tracks slip and the snow blower needs help, which may. and it’s easy for a man, and during cleaning I get 7 sweats. ) And then ringing in the ears and vibration in the hands)))
Another observation: according to my husband and I, the declared power of the STT1170E is overestimated - well, it doesn’t give out 11 horses, 8-9 hp. from strength. And of course, “leaving the snowball easily and quickly” is a myth. For large volumes this may be and easier than with a shovel, but not incredibly fast - you need to get the equipment, start it, warm it up a little, set it up, dress yourself to the teeth (snow dust usually covers the “carrier” from head to toe), after cleaning, put the car in place and clean it, and then swing the shovel in those places where the snow blower is useless (porch, narrow corners, gate chute). Only my husband can do all these manipulations from start to finish; it’s easier for me to use a shovel (which, by the way, came as a gift with the snow blower upon purchase) - and after shoveling my hands don’t tremble, and I don’t breathe gasoline, and my head doesn’t crack from the noise. ((I work in mittens, and my back is strong
))
Lastly about prices. In 2013 They took it for 44,000 rubles. and that’s exactly the money it’s probably worth. And the current price is 67-73000 rub. For him, in my opinion, it’s too high.
I would, of course, recommend it to those who really need such equipment - for example, a large yard area and a long driveway for clearing. Otherwise, it’s pampering to buy such an expensive device that you won’t necessarily use every winter. And of course, it’s good to be able to do more yourself - transporting 135 kg to a service center is, to put it mildly, long and tedious.
PS: Review of your favorite Fiskars shovel here.
PPS: I have a feeling that I forgot about something important, if so, write in the comments. In 3 seasons, I’m on short terms with “Champion”))
Reviews of the DAEWOO DAST 1590 model
In a sense, this is a record-breaking snow blower, since at least it has non-standard operational capabilities. According to the owners, the most noticeable difference of the model is the 15-horsepower power unit. With its help, the machine effectively processes the working area, throwing the snow mass 16 m to the side. Among the ergonomic and optional additions, many highlight the presence of LED headlights, an ergonomic operator position and the ability to adjust emission parameters. However, some capabilities depend on the configuration in which the tracked snow blower is purchased. Reviews also draw attention to some of the disadvantages of this model. The fact is that the machine turned out to be quite massive and is not suitable in all cases when it is necessary to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Reviews of the Honda HSS 655 snow blower
In this case, the developers offer an optimized design of the snow blower. Its users note the combination of compact size and average power. As a result, the model is optimally suited to the needs of a private homeowner who maintains the surrounding areas in a clean condition. On the other hand, the Honda tracked snow blower does not impress when handling large amounts of snow. Although even experts point to the cleverness of the dual cutting and ejection system, this principle does not compensate for the weakness of the 6-horsepower engine. But again, for simple household operations, this model is quite suitable. The lack of its power is also often compensated by high maneuverability, easy control and the ability to pinpoint snow cover.
Equipment care - how to extend the life of snow blowers?
In order not to have to think for a long time about how to start the snow blower engine and why it constantly stalls, you should adhere to a number of preventive measures that will help extend the life of your household equipment. So, a very important rule is the correct preparation of the unit for storage in the spring and summer. The car owner is required to:
- Drain any remaining fuel and oil from the snow blower's engine and gearbox before storing it. Without doing this, the lubricants will dry out, as a result of which the walls of the oil and fuel tank may crack;
- Wipe all parts of the snowblower body dry with a rag. This will help protect the paintwork of the unit from corrosion;
- Immediately before starting the engine before winter operation, you need to reactivate the unit. To do this, you need to fill the appropriate containers with new fuel and oils. This procedure also includes a mandatory check of the spark plugs, drive belt tension and condition of the starter belt.
An important factor is the quality of the oil used. It is best to use a seasonal lubricant that does not have a high viscosity. Such a composition will be evenly distributed between important parts and mechanisms, and will retain its characteristics for a long time.
How to choose the optimal crawler snow blower?
Preference should be given to models that are optimally suited to operating conditions. This applies to design, dimensions, power with a set of functions. If you plan to use the equipment constantly as a working one, then it would be useful to provide ergonomic accessories such as the mentioned LED lamps. For your home, it is advisable to choose self-propelled tracked snow blowers with low power. Such modifications are more economical in terms of energy saving and rarely disappoint users with their modest power potential - usually the same 6-8 liters. With. enough for a country house. In addition, they are easier to maintain and require minimal effort in organizing maintenance in warm weather.
